This tasty seasoning can boost memory, fight anxiety and even help prevent dementia
For centuries, a trusty kitchen staple has been celebrated by ancient healers for its wide-ranging medicinal properties, including sharpening memory, concentration and overall cognitive function.
Now, modern science is backing up that old-school wisdom, with research suggesting the powerful plant could even help fight Alzheimer's disease, the leading cause of dementia worldwide.
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5 The herb is generally considered safe for culinary and medicinal purposes when used in moderation.
rh2010 – stock.adobe.com
A Mediterranean marvel
Rosemary, a fragrant evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean, has been a kitchen staple since the time of ancient Greece and Rome.
Fast forward to today, and the versatile herb has won fans around the world. Its bold, aromatic leaves — whether fresh or dried — are widely used as seasoning, steeped in tea or infused into oil.
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But could adding rosemary to your meals do more than just wake up your taste buds?
More than just flavor
Packed with phytochemicals, rosemary has been shown to help protect the body from harmful free radicals, oxidative stress and inflammation — all key drivers behind chronic illnesses like cancer, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
5 Rosemary is part of the mint family, which also includes herbs like basil, thyme and lavender.
PhotoArt Thomas Klee – stock.adobe.com
It also appears to pack an antimicrobial punch, having long been used in traditional medicine to fight infections and speed wound healing.
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Rosemary is a solid source of vitamins A, C and B6, along with essential minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium. It's especially rich in manganese, a key nutrient for metabolic health.
With all these benefits, scientists are investigating whether rosemary could help with everything from vision and skin health to hair growth, asthma relief and even slowing the spread of cancer cells.
But one of the most promising frontiers in rosemary research is the brain.
Brain food since ancient times
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Scientists may be just catching on, but humans have relied on rosemary to boost brainpower for thousands of years.
5 Rosemary's potent tioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may give the brain a major boost.
manassanant – stock.adobe.com
Back in ancient Greece, students and scholars commonly wore garlands made from the plant on their heads during exams to boost their memory and focus.
Centuries later, Shakespeare crowned it 'the herb of remembrance.'
Turns out, they might have been onto something.
In one study, older adults who sniffed rosemary scored significantly better on tests of prospective memory — the ability to remember to do something at the right time — compared to those in an unscented room. They were also more alert.
'This is potentially very important because prospective memory, for example, enables you to remember to take your medication at certain times of the day,' said Dr. Mark Moss, head of the department of psychology at Northumbria University, who helped lead the study.
5 The scent of rosemary has been shown to improve memory and focus, as well as lower stress and anxiety levels.
annanahabed – stock.adobe.com
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But it's not just seniors who could benefit.
A 2018 trial found university students taking 500 mg of rosemary supplements twice daily for a month showed better memory than a placebo group. They also reported less anxiety and depression, plus better sleep — suggesting rosemary does more than just sharpen your mind.
In another study, employees who drank rosemary-infused water daily said they felt less burnt out at their jobs than coworkers who didn't.
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Scientists think rosemary may work its magic by boosting blood flow to the brain — flooding it with oxygen and nutrients that help clear out mental fog.
Its calming scent has also been shown to lower cortisol, the body's main stress hormone. Meanwhile, research suggests its polyphenols may help fight depression by taming inflammation and supporting gut health.
Rosemary also contains compounds like 1,8-cineole, which helps prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine — a key brain chemical tied to learning and memory.
Experts suspect that keeping acetylcholine levels up may help your mind stay sharp with age.
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5 Over time, Alzheimer's disease gradually destroys thinking and memory skills.
LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS – stock.adobe.com
Researchers are also zeroing in on carnosic acid, a powerful antioxidant in rosemary that shields brain cells from damage linked to Alzheimer's disease.
In 2025, researchers created a stable version called diAcCA, and early lab results are promising. The compound improved memory, strengthened brain cell connections and slashed levels of Alzheimer's-linked proteins like amyloid-beta and tau.
Even better, diAcCA only activated in inflamed brain areas, potentially reducing side effects. In mouse studies, it showed no signs of toxicity and delivered major cognitive gains — raising hopes for future human trials.
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The breakthrough could be big, with Alzheimer's becoming a growing public health crisis as America's population gets older.
Right now, about 7.2 million Americans over 65 have the memory-robbing disease. By 2060, that number is expected to nearly double to 13.8 million unless new treatments or cures emerge.
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New York Post
15 hours ago
- New York Post
This tasty seasoning can boost memory, fight anxiety and even help prevent dementia
Herb your enthusiasm — your brain's about to get a boost. For centuries, a trusty kitchen staple has been celebrated by ancient healers for its wide-ranging medicinal properties, including sharpening memory, concentration and overall cognitive function. Now, modern science is backing up that old-school wisdom, with research suggesting the powerful plant could even help fight Alzheimer's disease, the leading cause of dementia worldwide. Advertisement 5 The herb is generally considered safe for culinary and medicinal purposes when used in moderation. rh2010 – A Mediterranean marvel Rosemary, a fragrant evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean, has been a kitchen staple since the time of ancient Greece and Rome. Fast forward to today, and the versatile herb has won fans around the world. Its bold, aromatic leaves — whether fresh or dried — are widely used as seasoning, steeped in tea or infused into oil. Advertisement But could adding rosemary to your meals do more than just wake up your taste buds? More than just flavor Packed with phytochemicals, rosemary has been shown to help protect the body from harmful free radicals, oxidative stress and inflammation — all key drivers behind chronic illnesses like cancer, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. 5 Rosemary is part of the mint family, which also includes herbs like basil, thyme and lavender. PhotoArt Thomas Klee – It also appears to pack an antimicrobial punch, having long been used in traditional medicine to fight infections and speed wound healing. Advertisement Rosemary is a solid source of vitamins A, C and B6, along with essential minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium. It's especially rich in manganese, a key nutrient for metabolic health. With all these benefits, scientists are investigating whether rosemary could help with everything from vision and skin health to hair growth, asthma relief and even slowing the spread of cancer cells. But one of the most promising frontiers in rosemary research is the brain. Brain food since ancient times Advertisement Scientists may be just catching on, but humans have relied on rosemary to boost brainpower for thousands of years. 5 Rosemary's potent tioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may give the brain a major boost. manassanant – Back in ancient Greece, students and scholars commonly wore garlands made from the plant on their heads during exams to boost their memory and focus. Centuries later, Shakespeare crowned it 'the herb of remembrance.' Turns out, they might have been onto something. In one study, older adults who sniffed rosemary scored significantly better on tests of prospective memory — the ability to remember to do something at the right time — compared to those in an unscented room. They were also more alert. 'This is potentially very important because prospective memory, for example, enables you to remember to take your medication at certain times of the day,' said Dr. Mark Moss, head of the department of psychology at Northumbria University, who helped lead the study. 5 The scent of rosemary has been shown to improve memory and focus, as well as lower stress and anxiety levels. annanahabed – Advertisement But it's not just seniors who could benefit. A 2018 trial found university students taking 500 mg of rosemary supplements twice daily for a month showed better memory than a placebo group. They also reported less anxiety and depression, plus better sleep — suggesting rosemary does more than just sharpen your mind. In another study, employees who drank rosemary-infused water daily said they felt less burnt out at their jobs than coworkers who didn't. Advertisement Scientists think rosemary may work its magic by boosting blood flow to the brain — flooding it with oxygen and nutrients that help clear out mental fog. Its calming scent has also been shown to lower cortisol, the body's main stress hormone. Meanwhile, research suggests its polyphenols may help fight depression by taming inflammation and supporting gut health. Rosemary also contains compounds like 1,8-cineole, which helps prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine — a key brain chemical tied to learning and memory. Experts suspect that keeping acetylcholine levels up may help your mind stay sharp with age. Advertisement 5 Over time, Alzheimer's disease gradually destroys thinking and memory skills. LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS – Researchers are also zeroing in on carnosic acid, a powerful antioxidant in rosemary that shields brain cells from damage linked to Alzheimer's disease. In 2025, researchers created a stable version called diAcCA, and early lab results are promising. The compound improved memory, strengthened brain cell connections and slashed levels of Alzheimer's-linked proteins like amyloid-beta and tau. Even better, diAcCA only activated in inflamed brain areas, potentially reducing side effects. In mouse studies, it showed no signs of toxicity and delivered major cognitive gains — raising hopes for future human trials. Advertisement The breakthrough could be big, with Alzheimer's becoming a growing public health crisis as America's population gets older. Right now, about 7.2 million Americans over 65 have the memory-robbing disease. By 2060, that number is expected to nearly double to 13.8 million unless new treatments or cures emerge.
Business Insider
2 days ago
- Business Insider
I'm a dietitian on the Mediterranean diet. Here are 10 things I get at Costco when I'm trying to eat more fiber.
I'm a dietitian who follows the Mediterranean diet and I've been prioritizing consuming more fiber. My favorite things to get at Costco include Kirkland Signature dried plums and frozen berry blends. I buy Kodiak Power Cakes mix and Actual Veggies black-bean burgers in bulk to help hit my goals. "Fibermaxxing" is one of the latest trends on TikTok and, as a dietitian, it's actually one I can get behind. Most Americans aren't coming close to eating enough fiber every day, and the goal of fibermaxxing is to hit or exceed one's suggested daily intake of it. After all, fiber is crucial to a healthy diet. It keeps your digestive system moving and can also help you feel full, support gut health, and play a role in reducing the risk of certain chronic diseases. While upping my fiber game, I also follow the Mediterranean diet — a flexible healthy eating pattern that focuses on maximizing whole grains and fresh produce while limiting processed foods. Costco is one of my go-to spots to stock up on fiber-rich staples in bulk that fit the bill and work with my diet. Here area few of my favorite finds that help me hit my fiber goals without sacrificing flavor or convenience. I add frozen riced cauliflower to my grain dishes and smoothies. A low-carb, high-fiber alternative to rice, frozen riced cauliflower is as versatile as it gets. I buy it in bulk at Costco and add it to my smoothies for a fiber boost that I can't even taste. I also mix it into grain dishes for some extra bulk and antioxidants — it's hard to taste the difference. Good Foods organic avocado mash is delicious on sandwiches. Avocados are fairly high in fiber and I like this ready-to-eat mash from Good Foods that I can buy in bulk at Costco. Each single-serve container has 4 grams of dietary fiber. I love using this as a condiment in my sandwiches instead of mayo. It adds creaminess and heart-healthy fats to my lunch while also boosting my fiber intake. I enjoy SunGold kiwis, skin and all. SunGold kiwis are sweet, juicy, and contain about 2 grams of fiber. I slice them over Greek yogurt or enjoy them on their own for a bright, zesty fiber fix. I will literally bite into them like an apple after washing the skin. (You can consume the skin— it's thin and edible.) Dried plums are one of my go-to snacks. Prunes are famously high in fiber — luckily, they're pretty sweet and versatile. For a snack, I'll eat Kirkland Signature Sunsweet dried prunes right out of the bag or stuff them with nut butter for extra protein. They're also great to blend into smoothies for extra sweetness or to chop to add to salads. I love that frozen berry mixes come with a fairly long shelf life. Frozen fruit can be just as nutritious as fresh and oftentimes, it's much more economical. I especially like the Kirkland Signature triple-berry blend, which contains raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries. This antioxidant-loaded mix is a dietitian's dream. I toss the berries into my breakfast bowls, blend them into smoothies, and just snack on them straight from the bag. With these, I can have a naturally sweet fiber boost without having to worry about eating tons of fresh fruit before it gets moldy and mushy. Actual Veggies black-bean veggie burgers are convenient on weeknights. Compared to traditional beef burgers (which have no fiber), these plant-based patties feel like a fiber goldmine. Each patty contains 6 grams of fiber. I lean on these for nights when I really don't feel like cooking and a burger is calling my name. All I have to do is heat a patty up and enjoy it with a whole-grain bun, veggies, some avocado mash, and a side salad. Catalina Crunch protein cereal can be a high-fiber snack or breakfast. If you're really trying to fibermaxx, a high-fiber cereal can be a great breakfast option. Although it's advertised as a protein cereal, Catalina Crunch also doesn't disappoint in the fiber department. It contains a whopping 9 grams of fiber per serving — much more than what other classic cinnamon-toast cereals provide. And, in my humble opinion, it tastes just as good. I use it as a yogurt topper, mix it with other cereals for breakfast, or eat it on its own as a snack. I sprinkle chia seeds on so many dishes. These tiny seeds pack a big punch when it comes to fiber at about 10 grams per serving. I sprinkle them on yogurt, blend them into smoothies, or make chia pudding for a fiber-rich snack. Chia seeds are also high in omega-3s, another Mediterranean-diet darling that can be great for heart health. Organic mushrooms add fiber and volume to a lot of my beef dishes. I use mushrooms to add a meaty texture, earthy flavor, and a touch of fiber to countless dinner recipes. They work especially well in meat-forward dishes like beef tacos or Bolognese sauce. For those, I replace half of my meat with chopped mushrooms. It's a win-win — I add fiber to my meals and they cost less to make since I use less meat. The mushrooms give me a boost of antioxidants, too. I keep Kodiak Power Cakes flapjack and waffle mix on hand to make breakfasts filled with protein and fiber. My family and I love pancakes and waffles, so I like that this Kodiak Power Cakes mix allows us to enjoy a weekend treat with an impressive amount of protein (15 grams) and fiber (5 grams) per serving. It's even more impressive when you consider that many other pancake mixes contain less than a gram of fiber per serving. I also like to top these pancakes with chia seeds and frozen berries for a super fiber-filled breakfast.
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Newsweek
A Doctor's Plea From a Nation Asleep on Brain Disease
Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. As a physician who once treated pain, I now endure the unimaginable. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has left me quadriplegic, dependent on a tracheostomy to breathe and a feeding tube to eat. Diagnosed at 35, my career ended abruptly. My family's story reveals the scale of the coming storm—my father battles Alzheimer's, my uncle succumbed to Parkinson's, and my grandmother to Lewy body dementia. We are not outliers; we represent a silent epidemic. Neurodegenerative diseases are surging, yet our nation slumbers, unaware of the devastation ahead. The public's complacency is by design, built on a statistical illusion. ALS, fatal since 1869, exemplifies this peril. With a median survival of 2-3 years, it strikes about 1 in 300 people in their lifetime, which predicts that over 1 million people now alive in the U.S. will succumb to ALS. Yet, under federal law, it is labeled "rare" because that definition is based on prevalence—a static snapshot of how many people are living with a disease at one time. Because ALS kills its victims so quickly, the number of living patients stays below the 200,000-person "rare" threshold. Its very lethality ensures it is never treated like the mainstream public health crisis it is. This paradox obscures a terrifying forecast: a projected 69 percent global increase in ALS cases by 2040. This illusion of rarity perpetuates a deadly inaction that extends to all brain diseases. Alzheimer's already affects over 7 million Americans and is projected to strike nearly 13 million by 2050, costing our economy $384 billion in 2025—and projected to nearly $1 trillion annually by mid-century. Exterior view of the headquarters of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Exterior view of the headquarters of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Getty Images The failure to confront this crisis stems from a Tale of Two Agencies within the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In 2017, Congress established the Oncology Center of Excellence (OCE), a dynamic hub that has revolutionized cancer treatment, accounting for 85 percent of all accelerated approvals in the last decade. This success is the result of focused will and resources; National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding for cancer has topped $7.2 billion, compared to $2.8 billion for neuroscience. Neurology has no such center. Lacking an institutional home, it is fragmented, slow, and characterized by a risk aversion unthinkable in oncology. This disparity persists because of the tragic nature of these diseases. In the 1980s, ACT UP activists staged "die-ins" to force a reluctant government to fight AIDS. Patients with ALS, Huntington's, or Alzheimer's cannot mount a similar protest—we are physically silenced and immobilized, unable to "seize the FDA." This vulnerability places a unique moral obligation on our leaders to act proactively on behalf of the voiceless. The new FDA leadership now arrives with bold promises of change, posing a question that haunts everyone touched by an untreatable neurological disease: Will this time be different? Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. vows to "sweep away barriers" and to "figure out new ways ... of accelerating approvals for drugs and treatments that treat rare diseases." FDA Commissioner Marty Makary has several times asked why it takes 10 years for a drug to get to market and proposes a "conditional approval" pathway based on a "plausible mechanism." Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) Director Vinay Prasad promised to "take action at the first sign of promise for rare diseases." For the ALS community, these words are now a crisis of credibility. In a disease that has a median survival of 2-3 years, we are asking for regulatory flexibility for a treatment that began its Phase 1 trial in 2011 and was granted FDA Fast Track designation in 2014. As a petitioner on the July 3 citizens' petition for a stem cell therapy known as NurOwn, my community has presented the FDA with a clear test. Ultimately, we are seeking accelerated approval based on new, unprecedented survival data from an expanded access program—data that exceeds the extension of survival of many approved cancer therapies. But the initial request is simpler: invite the sponsor to resubmit its application for a full review. Ours is a request for due process to give a voice to the voiceless—the lowest possible bar for the Trump administration to demonstrate its promised flexibility. A clear, bipartisan solution has already failed once. The Neuroscience Center of Excellence Act, introduced in 2021 to replicate oncology's success for brain disease, stalled in committee. It is time for our leaders to find the political will that has been so catastrophically absent. Congress must immediately revive and pass the Neuroscience Center of Excellence Act. The FDA, in turn, must match its leaders' promises with action by granting our petition a review. The science is poised for breakthroughs, but it is being shackled by a broken system. For those of us on a deadline, this is not a policy debate. It is a death sentence. Awaken now, before this silent storm engulfs us all. The voiceless can't wait. Dr. Shahriar Minokadeh, a former anesthesiologist trained at Johns Hopkins and pain management at UC San Diego, types via an eye-gaze device. The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
